Altoona Man Indicted for Receiving and Possessing Images and Videos Showing the Sexual Exploitation of Minors

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – On July 7, a resident of Altoona, Pa. was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on charges of receipt and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The two-count Indictment named Matthew Michael Walter, 33, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 21, 2019 and August 22, 2019, Walter received images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The Indictment further alleges that on another occasion,Walter knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. All computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.